[Maggi]

Maggi asked the Naked Scientists:
   
I'm 52 and have been experiencing menopausal symptoms for nearly five years.

HRT over the last year has eliminated the hot flushes , night sweats & mood swings, but I'm still bleeding heavily & painfully.

Every time I think it's over - as when I've gone three months without a
period - it starts again.

When will it END.....?!!!

What do you think?

[Chemistry4me]

For most women, they can expect all the stages of menopause to last between four and five years. From the first early symptom or sign to the last, hot flashes can actually range from one year to eight years. This is not much relief for women who have been suffering for several years already.

Premenopausal woman may already be experiencing the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause and wondering when it will all be over. Unfortunately, there is no specific time frame for menopause. Some people believe that women who have had heavy periods will have longer menopauses than people who have had lighter periods. Others believe that the earlier menopause or perimenopause sets in, the longer it is going to last.

http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/7-5-2006-101422.asp

[Chemistry4me]

Typically perimenopause occurs between the ages of 40 and 51 and may last anywhere from six months to ten years.

http://www.power-surge.com/educate/menoprimer.htm

Basically Maggi, nobody knows exactly when it'll end  [] [] []

[kdlynn]

i heard the other day that menopause is actually when it is over, and the whole change is really perimenopause. but they also said that average is 5-10 years. i don't know how much is true...but that's what i saw on oprah! lol

[Karen W.]

I started my period at age 14 and started my permenopause at 38... at that point I was having Hot flashes and m lack of sleep wa increasing... at 42  I was bleeding heavily by 45 having excessive bleeding and feeling terrible by 46 no more Hot flashes but other things over sensitivity to everything... I am now 48 and have only had 2 periods since  march of last year. The Doctor said menepause now.... so that is about right about ten years for full cycle!